Non-human primates represent one
of the most diverse groups of mammals. Demonstrating a wide range of
ecological, locomotor, dietary and behavioural variations they are
taxonomically diverse and continue to be a source of phylogenetic debate.

Studying non-human primates not only provides insight into the origin of the
first humans, but also reveals the spatial and temporal patterns, and drivers,
which have resulted in the diversity of extant primates, now numbering over 400
recognised species. With their origins dating back to the age of dinosaurs, the
evolution of the first true non-human primates can be traced back to at least
55 million years ago. Non-human primates have evolved through periods of
incredible climatic, geomorphological and biogeographic change and understanding
their history is critical to understanding our own history.

Experts in Non-human primate evolution

UCL has one of the one of the largest number of researchers actively
involved in human evolution research of any university in the world.
However, human evolution research is necessarily cross-disciplinary and
these researchers are dispersed across a number of different departments
and institutes. Human Evolution @ UCL provides
information on these researchers and their various research themes, as
well as on human evolution teaching and seminars, and serves as a focal
point for the initiation of collaborative research and teaching.